Soup as Therapy
Rinse one pound of dried white beans, picking out any stones or debris. Use the yellow collander because it is yellow and that is why you bought it. Save your silver collander for less important jobs. Set the beans in a large pot, cover with two inches of water. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and let stand, uncovered, for one hour.
While beans are soaking watch Arena Football. Get confused every time they say AFL. Chuckle when they make Bon Jovi jokes. Start impossible sweater while nursing.
Drain beans. Put crying baby in backpack. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot. Chop two onions, put in pot. Add two more onions. You like onions. Return to football, leaving onions to cook too long. When the onions are just starting to burn remember they are on. Add four cloves of garlic, chopped. No, make it eight. Turn the onions and garlic down to avoid further burning. Stir, staring into pot, while thinking about your mother. Call mother to avoid guilt. Continue stirring, happy to have talked to her.
When onions and garlic are soft add 1 quart of water and 5 cups of chicken broth. Add the first liquid slowly, enjoy how it melts the burnt onion sugar off the pot. Remember the smell of Onion Soup. Add a bay leaf and a couple tablespoons of rosemary. Add a rind of romano cheese. Grate a little cheese into the soup for good measure.
Simmer for however long it takes to for you to do something else. Take the baby upstairs and nurse. Put her down for a nap so you can have a moment alone to complete the soup. Think about family while tearing kale from its ribs. Tear one pound or so into bits. Wash, plunging your hands into the cold water.
When the beans are just tender cut six carrots. Consider circles, then cut into half circles to complement the shape of the beans. Throw in the pot. Cut one pound turkey kielbasa into semicircles. Arrange carefully in concentric circles in a pan to brown. Construct speech to family member while watching the fat and moisture rise to the surface of the meat. Start turning with metal tongs. Change to chopsticks for the smooth warm feel of the wood.
Stuff kale into the pot. Watch as it starts to collapse on itself as it is softened by the heat. Place the browned kielbasa on top of the kale and watch it slowly fall into the pot. Brown remaining meat in hasty batches. Add to soup.
Leave soup on low. Invite a friend over. Clean quickly. Make popovers to make up for the lack of crusty bread.
Sit, enjoy.
While beans are soaking watch Arena Football. Get confused every time they say AFL. Chuckle when they make Bon Jovi jokes. Start impossible sweater while nursing.
Drain beans. Put crying baby in backpack. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot. Chop two onions, put in pot. Add two more onions. You like onions. Return to football, leaving onions to cook too long. When the onions are just starting to burn remember they are on. Add four cloves of garlic, chopped. No, make it eight. Turn the onions and garlic down to avoid further burning. Stir, staring into pot, while thinking about your mother. Call mother to avoid guilt. Continue stirring, happy to have talked to her.
When onions and garlic are soft add 1 quart of water and 5 cups of chicken broth. Add the first liquid slowly, enjoy how it melts the burnt onion sugar off the pot. Remember the smell of Onion Soup. Add a bay leaf and a couple tablespoons of rosemary. Add a rind of romano cheese. Grate a little cheese into the soup for good measure.
Simmer for however long it takes to for you to do something else. Take the baby upstairs and nurse. Put her down for a nap so you can have a moment alone to complete the soup. Think about family while tearing kale from its ribs. Tear one pound or so into bits. Wash, plunging your hands into the cold water.
When the beans are just tender cut six carrots. Consider circles, then cut into half circles to complement the shape of the beans. Throw in the pot. Cut one pound turkey kielbasa into semicircles. Arrange carefully in concentric circles in a pan to brown. Construct speech to family member while watching the fat and moisture rise to the surface of the meat. Start turning with metal tongs. Change to chopsticks for the smooth warm feel of the wood.
Stuff kale into the pot. Watch as it starts to collapse on itself as it is softened by the heat. Place the browned kielbasa on top of the kale and watch it slowly fall into the pot. Brown remaining meat in hasty batches. Add to soup.
Leave soup on low. Invite a friend over. Clean quickly. Make popovers to make up for the lack of crusty bread.
Sit, enjoy.
posted by Amanda | 4:52 PM
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